Oh Come, Emmanuel!
On December 8th, the Catholic Church begins the Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy. We should focus on the corporal and spiritual works of mercy, during this time. What better a time to begin focusing on what we can do for others, than the season of Advent? As we prepare for the coming of Jesus and contemplate all that our Father has done for us, let us serve others. The children at the K-3 and 4-6 Campuses will be learning more about how they can serve others. This may be something as small as smiling at someone to making care packages for the homeless.
What are the children doing this month? At the 4-6 Campus, the kids are asked to make donations for care packages being made by each grade level. The children at the K-3 Campus will be making donations to the Glenmary Sisters. So how can the works of mercy be incorporated into what they are doing? Obviously, giving these donations is an example of clothing the naked or feeding the hungry, but what are the kids really doing? Many are bringing in the items that we, the parents have bought. I am sure there are some children who use their own money to buy what they donate. That is wonderful! And if our children don't have the funds to buy anything-then what? I am as guilty as the next parent of buying something at the store so my children can participate. Here is a suggestion (that I am going to try), have your children do extra chores to earn the money to buy what they want to donate. This is just one of the many possibilities for teaching them the works of mercy!
The teachers are reading The Sparkle Box, by Jill Hardie, to the children at the K-3 Campus. It is a wonderful story about a family that prepares a gift for the Baby Jesus, by serving others such as making a donation to a homeless man and donating clothes to a shelter. On Christmas morning, the family opens a "sparkle box," which contains a written account of their good deeds.
In guidance class, I will be reading The First Christmas Tree: A Legend From Long Ago by Helen Haidle. The trees have been told that the king will be born soon and begin to prepare gifts for him. One small tree is told that he is not big enough to visit the king so he cares for many animals left behind.
Both stories focus on the "giving" part of Christmas, which works well with the beginning of the Jubilee Year of Mercy. I hope that by teaching the children to focus on giving to others, they can truly enjoy the Christmas season, when we are given the best Christmas present we will ever receive!
Of course I have some extra articles for you to read during the many hours of down time (in December-ha!). My favorite go-to parenting blog, "We Are That Family," posted a new article, titled "10 Things Our Kids Don't Need For Christmas." Click here to read http://wearethatfamily.com/blog/. If you are looking for a daily devotional for the advent season, try http://dynamiccatholic.com/. Click on the "Best Advent Ever" signup button. You will receive daily videos and devotions focusing on advent.
As always, I welcome any feedback or suggestions. You can leave a message in the comment section or you can email me at kim.bennett@owensborocatholic.org. I hope you all have a blessed and peaceful Advent and Christmas season!
10 Things Our Kids Don’t Need This Christmas
10 Things Our Kids Don’t Need This Christmas
10 Things Our Kids Don’t Need This Christmas
